Improvement in machinery for bending wood



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT FITTS, JR., OF FITOHBURG, MASSACHUSETTS.

Specification forming part of Iietters Patent No. 36,082. dated August 5, 1.862.

To aZZ whom it may concern):

Be it known that I, ROBERT FITTs, J r., of Fitchburg, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Machine for Bending Wood; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figures l and 2 are elevations of my invention; Fig. 3, a section of the same, taken in the line x w, Fig. l; Fig. 4, a section of the chain pertaining to the same and taken in the line y y, Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a section ofthe same,taken in the line zz, Fig. 3; Fig. 6, a detached inner View of one of the links of the chain.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

This invention consists in the employment of a chain in connection with a former or pattern and pressure-rollers arranged as hereinafter fully shown and described,whereby a machine of great strength and durability7 is obtained for the purpose specified.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct my invention,l will proceed to describe it.

A represents an upright frame in which two shafts, B B, are placed, the lower shaft, B, being iitted in fixed bearings and the other, B', having its outer biring, C, so arranged that it may slide or work vertically in the frame A. This bearing C has a vertical projection, a, at its upper end, and said projection is provided with a horizontal pin, b,which ts in agroove, c, in one side of a cam,D, the latter being placed on a shaft, E, in the frame A, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The back end of the shaft B is allowed to work in its bearing to a certain eX- tent to admit of the outer bearing, C, being raised and lowered, which is done by turning the shaft E and cam D.

On the outer ends of the shafts B B there are secured rollers F F, the peripheries of which are grooved in V form, the lower roller, F, on shaft B being provided with teeth d, the use of which will be presently shown. In

operating the machine the poweris applied tol the lower shaft, B.

G represents a pattern or former which is made of a shape corresponding to that in which it the lining Zt.

the wood is to be bent. is of cast-iron, and it is provided at its inner side with teeth e, which gear into the teeth d of the roller F. In this particular instance the pattern or former is represented as being of the kind used for bending the rims of chairseats, as will be seen by referring to Fig. l. The former or pattern is of V form in its transverse section, as shown clearly in Fig. 3, so-

that a V-shaped groove, f, is formed longitudinally all around its outer surface.

H represents a chain the links'of which are also of V form in their transverse section. These links are constructed and connected together in a novel manner, as follows: Each link is formed of two parts-to wit, a cap, g, which is of cast-iron, and a lining, h, which may be of brass or composition. The cap g is of V form in its transverse section, and it is provided with lips i at each end to hold within The lining h has a recess, j, in each end of it to receive the spherical ends Za of shackles Z, which connect the links together and form joints for the same. The lining 71 is secured to the cap g by rivets m, which are shown clearly in Fig. 6, and the recesses or socketsj hold firmly the spherical ends of the shackles Z, so that the latter cannot draw out `therefrom longitudinally nor laterally. The

lining h, like the cap g, is of V form in its transverse section, and the inner or under sur- -faces of the shackles Z are grooved longitudinally in V form. The shackleslare of wrought iron. The links of the chain also have sliding bars ax fitted in them at one side between the cap and'lining, as shown more particularly in Figs. 4t and 6. These bars serve to render the chain continuous, compensating for the play of the links, and causing the wood to be subjected to a regular pressure throughout at its edge, as shown at 11X in Fig. 3. These bars cii may be of brass or composition, like the lining Zt.

The chain H, constructed as described, is rendered perfectly strong and flexible.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The pattern or former G is placed between the two rollers F F, the teeth e ofG meshing into the teeth d of the lower roller, F. The wood, I, to be bent is properly steamed and one end inserted between the pattern or former G and the chain H, the latter being under the upper This pattern or former roller, F. The lovver shaft, B, is then rotated by any convenient power, and the pattern or former G and Wood,I, and chain H are fed along between the rollers, the chain H yielding or giving to conform to the shape of the pattern or former G, the Wood,l,being bent or curved in a corresponding manner. The Wood, I, it Willbe seen, in consequence of the V-shaped grooves in the pattern or former, chain, and rollers, is bent in the direction of tWo of its angles or cornerwise, and all lateral displacement ofthe Wood or chain is thereby prevented.

The pressure on the Wood may be graduated by turning the cam D.

This machine has been practically tested and performs its work admirably well, not, failing or giving Way in any part during atrial of nine months. The Wood is clamped to the pattern or former by any suitable means, clamps 0X beapplied at the ends of the chain, Wood, and pattern or former after the ends of the same have passed between the rollers. 1 and 2.)

(See Figs.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The pattern or former G, in connection with the chain H and pressure-rollers F F', constructed and arranged for joint operation substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

`2. The particular manner of constructing l the chain, as herein'shown and described-to wit, by means of links formed of a cap, g, and lining h, riveted together and connected by shackles Z and sliding bars ax.

`3. The combination of the cam D, pressurerollers F F', pattern or former G, and chain H, arranged to operate as and for .the purpose specified.

ROBERT FITTS, JR.

Witnesses:

ALBERT SAWYER, CALEB K. SAWYER. 

